Boston Public Radio Podcast

Today: Amherst College's Ilan Stavans discusses his new book "Lamentations of Nezahualcóyotl: Nahuatl Poems" - a re-telling of an Aztec king's writings, translated directly from the indigenous language. And, Nicholas Reville, CEO of the nonprofit Center for Addiction Science, Policy & Research argues there’s potential for GLP-1 drugs to revolutionize addiction treatment.

Boston University journalism department head Brian McGrory discusses the release of the 'John' names in the brothel case, the CIA-related disclosures from JFK files and how media coverage of COVID-19 may have damaged people's trust in institutions. Amherst College's Ilan Stavans discusses his new book "Lamentations of Neahualcoyotl: Nahuatl Poems" and how Mexico's president Claudia Sheinbaum is handling Trump. Nicholas Reville, CEO and co-founder of CASPR (Center for Addiction Science, Policy & Research) discusses how GLP-1s and other weight-loss products can also be effective for treating addiction. Richard Davey, head of MassPort, discusses the agency's expansion of climate and environmental staffing and raising fees on rideshares to Logan Airport.

Today: Retired federal judge Nancy Gertner rings alarm bells on Trump's attack of the American legal system, comparing his intimidation and consolidation of power to that of Hungary's Viktor Orban. And, Cuban-born jazz pianist Zahili Zamora joins for Live Music Friday, at the Boston Public Library.

Live Music Friday with Cuban-born jazz pianist and Berklee professor Zahili Zamora. She's performing next Thursday at Long Live Roxbury Brewing Company. NBC Boston commentator Sue O’Connell discusses the latest news on the Karen Read trial, including blogger "Turtleboy" pleading not guilty to witness intimidation charges. Retired federal judge Nancy Gertner reacts to Justice Roberts’ rebuke of Trump on the issue of judicial impeachment, and more on Trump ignoring judicial orders. Our 'Press Play' media segment with GBH's Adam Reilly and Callie Crossley on the media's coverage of the Trump administration and coverage of the Boston mayoral race.

Today: Columbia’s Mahmoud Khalil is being held in Louisiana, awaiting his fate after the federal government targeted him for his pro-Palestine advocacy – We speak with one of the members of his legal team, the head of the New York Civil Liberties Union, Donna Lieberman. Dan Primack is the business editor at Axios. He discusses the latest on interest rates and the fed – holding steady at least for now -- and the fate of Tesla.

Political analyst Chuck Todd returns for his weekly D.C. news roundup Former secretary of public safety Andrea Cabral weighs in on the deportation of RI doctor Rasha Alawieh. She also discusses the Trump administration's attempts to bypass the judiciary. Dan Primack, business editor over at Axios, talks about the Fed's latest decision to keep interest rates steady because of ongoing economic uncertainty. Donna Lieberman leads the New York Civil Liberties Union. She joins us to talk about her role defending detained Colombia University student and green card-holder Mahmoud Khalil.

BPR Full Show 3/19: Pump the Brakes? Boston’s Bike Lane Dilemma

Today: Marc Dunkelman argues the abject failure of progressive politics to get things done played a role in the rise of Trumpism. He joins to discuss his book “Why Nothing Works: Who Killed Progress – and How to Bring It Back.” And, despite their name, there’s actually very little that we know about the mating habits of the majestic humpback whale. We talk about the first recorded mating observance of the humpback, between two male whales, with naturalist Sy Montgomery.

BPR Full Show 3/18: Massachusetts Women's Hall Of Fame

Today: Princeton public affairs professor Khalil Gibran Muhammad warns that the Trump administration’s actions against Columbia University student Mahmoud Khalil puts higher education on the front lines of authoritarianism, right here in America. Plus, environmentalist Bill McKibben joins to discuss what the majority of Americans who support a transition away from fossil fuels can do during Trump 2.0.

Environmentalist Bill McKibben discusses EPA rollbacks, despite the majority of Americans supporting policies to protect the climate. Michael Curry of the Mass League of Community Health Centers and the NAACP discusses the reshaping of our reality through selective data sharing by the federal government. Food policy analyst Corby Kummer discusses the RFK Jr.-backed proposal to cut certain foods from SNAP benefits. Princeton University's Khalil Gibran Muhammad focuses in on the detention of Columbia student Mahmoud Khalil, and the threat to academic freedom and free speech on campus and beyond.

Today: “A Man of No Importance” is the latest musical from SpeakEasy Stage Company. We move the show to GBH’s stunning Fraser Performance Studio to hear performances from the cast and speak with some of the actors for this week’s Live Music Friday. Watch the performance here. Then, our media analysis segment Press Play features Chuck Todd this week. We talk about the latest spat between the White House and Associated Press – all because the AP dared to present the facts. And, the oligarchic obedience of media moguls to Trump fueling mistrust of the media.

“A Man of No Importance” is the latest musical from SpeakEasy Stage Company.. We hear performances from the cast and speak with actors Eddie Shields, Billy Meleady & Kathy St. George for this week’s Live Music Friday. GBH's Callie Crossley discusses federal pressure on Maine's governor over a trans student athlete. She also discusses the removal of the “Black Lives Matter” mural in D.C., and Attorney General Andrea Campbell joining other AGs who are suing Trump about the dismantling of the education department. Boston Globe travel writer Christopher Muther gives a eulogy for free checked luggage on domestic flights and provides tips for traveling on the cheap in Thailand. Political analyst Chuck Todd joins for our "Press Play" media analysis segment.

Today: Anand Giridharadas of The.Ink argues the left-right political spectrum doesn’t apply anymore. We should be thinking about things through a “who’s fighting for me” frame. Then, Massachusetts’ Veterans Services Secretary Dr. Jon Santiago discusses the litany of ways the Trump administration is making life more difficult for those who served our country.

BPR Full Show 3/13: AITA For Avoiding Friends With Kids?

Gov. Maura Healey joins for Ask The Governor. We'll talk threats to federal funding and ask about her appearance on Late Night with Seth Meyers. GBH executive arts editor Jared Bowen discusses the MIT dome, the cabaret star Meow Meow and "Death Becomes Her" on Broadway. National security expert Juliette Kayyem discusses the latest on a Russia/Ukraine ceasefire, Trump's plans for a renewed travel ban for people from specific countries, and the universities pushing back against Trump's attack on DEI. MBTA General Manager Phillip Eng joins for "Ask the GM." We'll ask him about findings by recent audits, T safety and a new south coast rail.

Today: Boston Mayor Michelle Wu joined Jim and Margery at the Boston Public Library on March 11, 2025 to discuss her appearance in a Congressional hearing about Boston's immigration policies, the growing field of contenders for Boston mayor, and of course, bike lanes.

Mayor Wu joined for the first hour to discuss testifying in front of Congress and answer listener questions. ACLU of MA's Carol Rose discusses hiring freezes at local educational institutions like MIT and Harvard. Donald Berwick, former administrator of Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, currently a lecturer of healthcare policy at Harvard Medical School, discusses Republican-backed cuts to Medicaid under their current budget proposal. Boston Globe business columnist Shirley Leung discusses the progressives trying to ditch big brands like Amazon and Target

Today: A congressional double-feature: Representatives Stephen Lynch and Ayanna Pressley zoom in to discuss the Oversight Committee hearing held last week featuring Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, and other political news.

Congressman Stephen Lynch zooms in to discuss last weeks Oversight Committee hearing, his role on the DOGE subcommittee and his vote in support of the Laken Riley act. Ilan Stavans of Amherst College explains the Latino Freeze Movement and discusses Trump making the official language English. Plus, we discuss his new book of poetry translations "Lamentations of Nezahualcóyotl: Nahuatl Poems." Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley discusses her experience at the Congressional Oversight hearing where Mayor Wu and other Democratic city leaders discussed their immigration policies. And, the Massachusetts groups suing Trump for rolling back temporary protected status for Haitian and Venezuelan migrants. Kira Khazatsky, president and CEO of Jewish Vocational Services, joins in studio with Dawn Hayes, major gifts officer, to discuss JVS' work of connecting communities with educational and career training.